USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Early reminiscences of Indianapolis, with short biographical sketches of its early citizens, and a few of the prominent business men of the present day > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
He then was the active partner in the store of J. M. Moore & Co .; the other partners were James M. Ray, James Blake and the late Nicholas McCarty. They did business on the west corner of the alley, on the north side of Washington, between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets.
In the year 1840 he was selected to edit the campaign pa- per, the "Spirit of Seventy-Six," that advocated the election of General Harrison to the Presidency with signal ability.
After the old hero was installed as President, Mr. Moore was appointed postmaster in this city, but after the defection of President Tyler from the Whig party, in 1841. he was the first victim to proscription ; he was removed and his pre- decessor reinstated.
About the year 1844 he was appointed cashier of the branch at Madison of the State Bank of Indiana; when the affairs of that bank were wound up he filled the same position in the branch of the Bank of the State, and continued there until his death in January, 1858.
Mr. Moore was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and was among the first to leave it and join the Episcopal Church when it was first organized by the Rev. J. B. Britton as its Rector, in 1837.
As a business man he was of more than ordinary ability, and with his strict integrity and attention to business made him a valuable acquisition to any business institution.
He was a fair political writer, and, as such, rendered great service to the Whig cause in editing the paper above men- tioned.
After Mr. Moore's death his family returned to this city,
323
Charles W. Cady.
and are still resident here. His oldest son, who bears the father's name, married the grand-daughter of his father's for- mer preceptor, and daughter of Thomas H. Sharpe, Esq .; he was engaged in the wholesale drug business, and was one of the victims to the fire of the Morrison Opera House building that occurred on the night of the 17th of January, 1870.
A second son is engaged as clerk in the wholesale grocery establishment of Alford, Talbot & Co.
His other three children are daughters, one of which is married ; the other two reside with their mother on East Michigan street.
CHARLES W. CADY
Was a native of New Hampshire, having been born in the village of Keene; but when his father was elected Secretary of State he, with him, became a resident of Concord, the cap- ital, and there resided until he came to this place, in May, 1837.
He was the first Secretary of the Indiana Mutual Insurance Company, of which James Blake was the President, and they managed its business jointly for about fifteen years.
Mr. Cady was a very liberal and kind-hearted man, and contributed of his means, without stint, for all charitable pur- poses. Although not a member of any church, he was active in organizing the first Episcopal Church (Christ) in this city, and formed one of its congregation as long as he lived.
In his young days he had been afflicted with white swell- ing, which caused one of his knees to be stiff, thereby laming him.
He was very fond of bunting, and when he first came to this city the country abounded in game of all kinds.
On one . occasion, he and the brother of the writer of this notice went, before daylight, over to Fall Creek bottoms, where it was known several broods of wild turkeys roosted.
324
Early Reminiscences.
Mr. Cady crossed the creek on the bridge on the Crawsords- ville State road, and went up on the west side. My brother continued on the east side. When three or four hundred yards above the bridge, my brother commenced calling the turkeys, which he did by using the wing bone of one, imi- tating them so nearly as to defy detection. While calling in this way, he discovered Mr. Cady approaching on the opposite side of the creek. My brother then slipped behind a tree and called again. Mr. Cady then stepped into the creek, the water coming above his knees, and waded over. My brother, to avoid detection, had left the place of his concealment and gone further into the woods.
On their return, with several fine turkeys which they had killed, my brother told the joke on Mr. Cady, who did not positively deny it, but said it might have been some other person that waded the creek. My brother replied that he could not be mistaken, as he knew Mr. Cady by his limping. This irritated him. He said he had never limped in his life. It was but a few days until this breach in their friendship was healed, and they were ready for another turkey hunt.
On another occasion, he and a particular friend, who was equally irritable, were gunning in company. They both had shot at a flock of wild pigeons at the same moment, but only one bird fell. They both claimed to have killed it, which caused hard feelings between them, and they did not speak to each other for several days, although they boarded at the same house and took their meals at the same table.
He was quick to take any slight, whether intended or not, and as quick to forgive and forget it.
He was a great gallant of the young ladies, as well as a favorite with the sex whether married or single.
Mr. Cady died in November, 1855, leaving a widow and five children-two sons and three daughters-all of whom still reside here.
325
Doctor Abner Pope.
His wife was Miss Keirsted, of Cincinnati, a niece of the late George H. Dunn, of Lawrenceburg.
DOCTOR ABNER POPE
Was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1793, a place made famous, during the last century, for the superstition of its inhabitants and the punishment of such as were suspected of witchcraft.
Dr. Pope descended from an English family that came over to this country soon after the arrival of the Mayflower. Dr. Franklin (his mother being a Pope) came over with the same family.
Dr. Pope is a quaker and uses the plain language. " Thee," "thou " and " thine," are upon his flippant tongue. He also dresses in the peculiar style of that religious organization, broad-brimmed white hat and round-breasted coat, generally of the drab color.
He practiced medicine upon the Steam or Thompsonian principle, and had in his shop a long box made water-tight, in which he placed his patients and raised the steam on them to one hundred and twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit, and after limbering in this way for some time, he would douse them head and heels into ice-cold water, and rub them well with a dry towel.
Whether he killed more than he cured, I am not prepared to say; but I occasionally see some of our old citizens that went through this operation walking about the streets, appa- rently none the worse, if not considerably better for it.
In the Doctor's shop and store, which were together, and located on the north side of Washington street, near where the Trade Palace now stands, was to be found all kinds of merchandise with, perhaps, the exception of bar iron. " Bitter yerbs," all kinds of vegetable medicines, and every other article, from a paper of lettuce seed to a fine shawl, or
326
Early Reminiscences.
silver thimble to silk hose. His store was generally the last resort for any article scarce in the market, and when not to be found at Dr. Pope's, the search for it was abandoned.
He was a warm and enthusiastic Whig, and advocated the measures of that party with great zeal and earnestness. In the year 1844, some waggish neighbor played a prank upon him by hoisting a rooster in front of his door.
He left his native town when quite young and lived in Bal- timore, Maryland, until the spring of 1836, when he came to Indianapolis, and has resided here ever since. Although now seventy-seven years of age, he is looking hale and hearty, and bids fair to live many years longer.
DAVID V. CULLEY
Was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Corydon when it was the capital of the State, and, as a journeyman printer, worked on the State work in the office of John Douglass, the father of two of the late proprietors of the "Indianapolis State Journal.'
Mr. Culley then went to Lawrenceburg and edited and pub- lished the "Indiana Palladium," a paper in the interest of and advocating the election of General Jackson to the Presi- dency.
He was an active and enthusiastic politician, and advocated his opinions with a force and fluency that few possessed. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, sound judgment and great stability of character. I remember him well as one of the active and leading men of his party while in the legislature as Senator of Dearborn County.
In the canvass for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, in the year 1831, he was placed on the Jackson ticket as its can- didate for the latter, with James G. Read for Governor against Noah Noble and Milton Stapp, the Clay candidates. Although his party were in a majority in the State. the great popularity
327
David V. Culley.
of Governor Noble carried the clection of the Lieutenant Governor, and Mr. Culley was defeated.
In the year 1836, he was appointed, by General Jackson, Register of the Land Office for the Indianapolis district, and, with his family, removed to this place, and resided here until the time of his death, June 4, 1869.
Soon after his removal to this place, he identified himself with the benevolent and charitable institutions of the city, ever taking a deep interest in Sunday Schools, and, afterwards, the general free school system of the State and city. He was, for years, one of the trustees of the latter, and took a lively interest in the cause of education generally.
He was one of the leading members of the Second Presby- terian Church, becoming so while it was under the pastorate of that well known and flowery divine, Henry Ward Beecher.
Mr. Culley was often appointed by will, and selected on the dying bed, as administrator of estates, always complying cheerfully with the request of the dead, and performing the duties to the entire satisfaction of the living.
In writing of so many old and departed but not forgotten friends, brings a sad clearness of the past and crowds my memory with many pleasing recollections, as well as melan- choly regrets; and we sometimes feel that we are almost the last of the pioneers of Indiana.
Mr. Culley was of a pleasant disposition, and had a kind word for all. In person he was about five feet cight inches in height, spare made, with mild dark eyes, black hair and dark complexion.
In his attire he was plain and neat, and possessed a great deal of native dignity, with a fine address. We have noticed him, while a member of the Senate, called on to temporarily preside, which he did with a dignity and promptness found in but few presiding officers of the present day; indeed, it was
328
Early Reminiscences.
this fact that secured him the nomination for Lieutenant Governor in 1831. But he has gone from among the living.
So fades, so perishes, grows dim and dies All that the world is proud of."
JUSTIN SMITH.
The connection that existed between Mr. Smith and the writer makes it somewhat embarrassing to him to say what he would under other circumstances.
He was a native of the central part of the State of New York, and when quite a young man went south and for a few years engaged in the shipping business in Charleston, South Carolina.
He then returned north and engaged in the wholesale liquor business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Thence to New York City, and was there married to Miss Maria B. Lloyd, who was the mother of his several children. From New York City he removed to the neighborhood of his birth place, and established a furnace for the manufacture of iron. Thence to Rochester, Monroe County, where he resided until his removal to Indianapolis, in November, 1838.
At the latter place he contributed considerable to the im- provement of the city and making it what it is to-day, one of the most beautiful cities of the Union.
When he left this last place to find a home for himself and his family it was a formidable undertaking, as there was no rail- roads, as now, to facilitate their journey, and when he parted with his friends it was thought to be a last and long farewell, but such has been the progress and improvement in locomo- tion that they now often meet, in what was then the Western wilds, those whom they never expected to again meet on this side of the grave.
In less than one short year after Mr. Smith's arrival at his new home, she, who had thus far in life's journey been the
329
Justin Smith.
partner of his bosom, fell a victim to a malignant fever, and left him without the counsel and advice of his best friend, and his children without a mother whom they loved so well.
Mrs. Smith was a lady of fine accomplishments, having been educated at one of the best female institutions in New York, and endowed with such personal attractions that her place was never filled in the heart of him she left behind.
Mr. Smith was not a fashionable christian, but practiced the genuine as he went along in kindness to the poor and acts of charity. He seldom gave to societies, but found the ob- jects of charity on the highway or in the by-ways.
In the year 1844 a distinguished man of the State died. Mr. S. was asked if he was going to the funeral; his answer was, "as this was a rich and distinguished man there would be plenty there to bury him." A few weeks after this a well known pauper died ; the funeral procession consisted of the hearse, a country wagon, with the relatives of the deceased, and Mr. Smith in the rear in his buggy.
At the time the Roberts' Chapel congregation worshipped in the Court House, Mr. Smith heard that their preacher (Rev. Mr. Bayliss) was a Democrat, so he attended his meet- ings quite regular. One evening there was considerable reli- gious excitement in the congregation. The minister invited the mourners to come forward to the altar to be prayed for. Mr. Smith, having a curiosity to know who wanted praying for, rose to his feet, and resting on his cane, was discovered by the minister, who invited him in this way : "Will father Smith come forward ?" Mr. Smith very deliberately went for- ward, took a five-franc piece from his pocket, laid it on the table, and remarked : " If that will pay you for the trouble I've been to you, I shall not visit your church again." So he never again went to hear Mr. Bayliss ; he did not like to be called father Smith, nor singled out in that way.
Mr. Smith was a large, portly man, and possessed consid- 14H
330
Early Reminiscences.
erable political information. He said to the writer over thirty years ago, that the seed was then being sown which would produce the bloodiest intestine war the world ever knew of.
Mr. Smith's eldest daughter, Mary Francis, is the wife of V. C. Hanna, eldest son of General Robert Hanna.
The second daughter, Amelia Theresa, the writer claims by right of pre-emption.
The third daughter, Julia Anna (now dead), was the wife of Elwood Fisher, who was one of the readiest political wri- ters of his day. He was, in 1850, the editor of the "South- ern Press," in Washington City. This paper was the organ of the extreme southern party that opposed the compromise of that year.
Mr. Fisher went south when the war broke out in 1861, and died at Atlanta, Georgia, in the fall of 1862.
The fourth daughter of Mr. Smith is the wife of Doctor Charles W. Stumm, of Piqua, Ohio.
The eldest son, P. B. L. Smith, died at Marsailles, France, in February, 1868.
The second son, Adolphus Henry, resides at Cincinnati and is a retired banker.
The third and youngest son, Frederick A. Smith, is a resi- dent of this city.
Mr. Smith has several nephews living in the West, two of whom, Generals Morgan L. and Giles A. Smith, were promi- nent in the war for the preservation of the Union. The lat- ter is now Assistant Postmaster General, and has charge of' the appointment office in that department.
Justin Smith died on Friday the 29th of December, 1854, and now sleeps by the side of his daughter (Mrs. Fisher) in that beautiful city of the dead, Spring Grove Cemetery, near Cincinnati.
331
William S. Hubbard.
WILLIAM S. HUBBARD
Is one of the citizens of Indianapolis who has proved by de- monstration and success in business that some things can be done as well as others, i. e., that a man with a reasonable share of industry, perseverance and economy can achieve what capital often fails to accomplish-the building up a for- tune-and that brain is sometimes indispensable.
Mr. Hubbard is a native of Connecticut, having been born in Middletown in May, 1816. In 1837, at the age of twenty- one, he came to Indianapolis as elerk to the Board of State Fund Commissioners-Dr. Coe, Caleb B. Smith and Samuel Hanna-at a salary of five hundred dollars per year. Doctor Coe advanced him the necessary amount to pay his traveling expenses from the East to this place.
Out of the first year's salary he was enabled to save two hundred and fifty dollars ; this moiety of his salary he in- vested in a lot and cabin which he purchased of Judge Black- ford and Henry P. Coburn, and it was here, with that two hundred and fifty dollars, the foundation of a fortune was laid, and proved that it was as necessary to have capital in the cranium as in the pocket.
It is quite unnecessary to my purpose to follow Mr. Hub- bard in the different pursuits he has followed and trades he has made ; 'tis sufficient to know that with this beginning he now owns some of the most valuable business property in the city. One piece, known as Hubbard's Block, on the south- west corner of Washington and Meridian streets, once known as the Jerry Collins' corner.
He also owns and lives in one of the largest, as well as finest, private residences on North Meridian street, and in that part of the city where the beau monde do mostly congregate.
He also, in connection with others, has lately purchased a traet of suburban property which they contemplate laying out in small lots as an addition to the city.
332
Early Reminiscences.
Mr. Hubbard, by his energy and enterprise, has not only built up a fortune for himself, but has added much to the im- provement of the city and advancement in price of other per- sons' property.
About the year 1840 he returned to his native State and was there married, and was fortunate in the selection of a wife that reflected his own disposition and was content to live in a frugal and rational manner, and in their dress and out- ward appearance showed no disposition to imitate the follies and fashions of the day, and amid the hum and bustle of the more wealthy and showy remained the same they were when they first left the shadow of the parental roof, and by this means they have been enabled to accumulate a competency for the present and any future exigency that may arise, and is indebted to his own industry for what he has heretofore in a manner been indebted to others, and his highest hopes and aspirations have been more than realized.
Although Mr. Hubbard is the architect of his own fortune, he has been aided by the advice and counsel of good and sound-minded men, such as James M. Ray, Edwin J. Peck, and that venerable old citizen, Colonel James Blake, whose friendships are invaluable to any person so fortunate as to possess them. And he has been enabled to retain them by never allowing himself to be guilty of any breach of truth, trust, or good faith, which are the cementing principles of confidence in business men, and which many have made great sacrifices by not observing, and precipitated their own ruin.
Mr. Hubbard is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, and was active and energetic in building the present fine edifice which has just beeu dedicated.
He is a man of medium size, quick and active in his move- ments, and whatsoever his hands findeth to do he does it with all his might. He has a pleasing address and affable manner, and is a much younger-looking man than he really is.
333
Adam Haugh.
ADAM HAUGH.
We clip from the "Indianapolis Journal" of the 16th of August, 1869, this sketch of the life, and of the funeral ser- mon of this venerable man. He has three sons engaged in active business in this city. Benjamin F. and Emanuel are large manufacturers of wrought and cast iron railing, bank vaults and improved iron jails. Joseph is cashier of the Citi- zens' National Bank. A fourth son, John, is a resident of California, having gone to that State in 1850, since which time he had not seen his father's family until a few weeks before the latter's death, and was here at that time.
Mr. Haugh's daughters, I believe, all reside in this city. His sons are universally respected for their strict integrity, temperate and industrious habits and gentlemanly bearing, and are worthy sons of christian parents :
"The Journal of Saturday last contained a notice of the death of Adam Haugh, an old resident of this city, which occurred on the day previous. Mr. Haugh was born February 9, 1789, in Frederick County, Maryland, and was married September 28, 1813, to Mary E. Reck, sister of the Rev. A. Reck, who organized the first Lutheran Church in this eity. He emigrated to this city in the fall of 1836, arriving here November 19th. At that time the city had a population of 3,000. For two years he was engaged in blacksmithing, in partnership with James Van Blaricum, and then built a shop on the site of the old Journal building, corner of Cirele and Meridian streets. He had a remarkable constitution-was never confined to his bed but one day in his life until his late illness. Raised a family of ten children-five boys and five girls. There have been but two deaths in the family. A son, Adam Haugh, Jr., died in July, 1850, at the age of twenty four years, being the first death in thirty-seven years, and now the subject of this sketch, being the second deatlı
334
Early Reminiscences.
in fifty-six years. The balance of the family are all here at present.
"His disease was cancer on the face, from which he suffered most intensely, but with the greatest patience and resigna- tion. His life has been that of an honest, truthful, upright man, and humble, faithful, zealous christian.
"His wife survives him, but can not, at her advanced age, expect. to remain very long on this side of the dark valley.
"The funeral services took place at the Second Presbyterian Church, at half-past three o'clock yesterday afternoon, the audience in attendance being a very large one. The opening prayer, which was a touching and appropriate one, was made by Rev. William W. Criley, of the English Lutheran Church. The sermon was delivered by Rev. C. H. Marshall, of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, of which the deceased was a member; the text being from Job 5, 26: 'Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in full season.'
"In commencing, he said that death claims all seasons for his own, and claims for his harvest persons of all ages. The infant in its helplessness and budding beauty, youth in the time of its most lofty hopes and anticipations, middle age with its strength and its usefulness, all are liable to be gath- ered by the reaper, while we tenderly and gently lay away the man of age for his eternal rest. The grave opens to receive all. But here we read what seems to be a promise or a privilege which is granted to comparatively few. The
analogy of the text is a beautiful one. Like the ripening wheat, our bodily powers increase for a season, and we steadily gain in strength and power until we reach a time when we gain no longer and gradually pass to the stage of ripeness, and if this season is given to a man it is a great privilege. So it is with our mental powers. By-and-by we come to a time when we can go no further with our imagination or rea-
335
Adam Haugh.
son. We cease to acquire, and live in the knowledge of the past. So, also, with our spiritual powers. In early infancy we lie in our mother's arms weak and feeble; and again when we are born into a christian life we lie in the arms of Infinite Love, waiting for the growth of the seeds of spiritual truth, which fall into the soul and go on until the full maturity of christian character is reached. To him nothing seemed more beautiful than rich, ripe and full christian old age. It is more beautiful than the autumn leaves, or than any other object in nature.
"We are called to-day to follow to its last resting place the body of one who has passed through the full period allotted to man. Death comes as a shock at any other period of life. It is a great hardship to give up the little child upon whom we have placed our hopes. To the man in middle life, in the very time of his greatest usefulness, and when many are dependent upon his strength, the blow comes still harder. It seems like taking the keystone from the arch, leaving it without the strength to support it. To the young man, just coming upon the stage of usefulness, and when hopes and aspirations are highest, death seems very sad. We find in our graveyards emblems of these events, and when we see the little lamb or the broken bud on our tombstones, we can not feel otherwise than sad and sorrowful. And so, too, with the broken column, emblem of man cut off in the midst of his usefulness and strength. But, for old age, we should have some symbol of beautiful perfection, such as the tree in its strength or the column completed, for of all beautiful things ripe old age is the most so. The work of life has been done, not only in the household, but in society and in the church. Theirs can not be a history broken off in the middle. It is not like a fragmentary form, of which we can read a few stanzas only to regret that there is no more. It is a finished work.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.